Morning Brief

Malaysia once had the largest weightage on the MSCI Emerging Markets Index at 33% but that has dropped to a 2.5% weight. Even from a market capitalisation perspective, Malaysia has been eclipsed by almost all other Asean countries except for the Philippines and Vietnam. Pankaj C. Kumar, business commentator tells us the hard truth as to how vibrancy can be returned to our capital markets. Image cr...

Malaysia once had the largest weightage on the MSCI Emerging Markets Index at 33% but that has dropped to a 2.5% weight. Even from a market capitalisation perspective, Malaysia has been eclipsed by almost all other Asean countries except for the Philippines and Vietnam. Pankaj C. Kumar, business commentator tells us the hard truth as to how vibrancy can be returned to our capital markets. Image cr...

Dr. James Chin, Professor of Asian Studies, University of Tasmania helps us unpack the political implications of the new cabinet line up announced last Friday by the Prime Minister Ismail Sabri as the new leadership bench has given each of them 100 days to tackle the health crisis and heal the economy. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Jackson Hole Symposium meeting happened over the weekend, where prominent central bankers, finance ministers, academics, and financial market participants from around the world converged to discuss economic developments and policies albeit virtually. The highlight was the speech by Fed Chair, Jerome Powell. Prof. Hans Genberg, Professor of Economics at Asia School of Business weighs in on what...

We speak to Datuk Aishah Ahmad, President, Malaysia Automotive Association (MAA) on how the industry is faring after 2 months of closure and how the recovery looks like as show rooms reopen for sales and production of motor vehicles resumes nationwide. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Economy and capital markets have seen a resurgence in India in the first half of 2021, despite a deadly second wave of Covid-19 and a slow pace of its vaccination programme. How will the 2nd half of the year look like for India - continued upward momentum or a correction? We discuss the latest developments in India's economic growth with Sanjay Marthur, Chief Economist of Southeast Asia and India...

All eyes are on the Cabinet announcement by Prime Minister Dato' Seri Ismail Sabri this morning. Will the Cabinet appointments be based on merit and competency, or will political loyalties and appeasement win over? We discuss the possible permutations with political geostrategist Dr. Azmi Hassan of University Technology Malaysia. Image credit: zmpixes / Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener...

Lim Guan Eng, Secretary-General of DAP discusses his proposed bipartisan National Economic Turnaround Plan to assist distressed Malaysians and businesses, and under what circumstances would he withdraw support for Budget 2022. Image credit: msyaraafiq / Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ministry of Education estimates some 1,500 students have been orphaned as a result of their parents succumbing to Covid-19, but this is likely to be the tip of the iceberg. What help is available for orphaned children, or those who have been left alone while parents or caregivers are hospitalized? Datin P.H. Wong, Director, Childline Foundation and Project Lead for the Covid-19 Child Crisis Su...

Andy Davison, Founder and CEO of The Expat Group Media, and approved agent of the MM2H programme ran a survey and found that less than 5% of respondents qualify to stay on in Malaysia under the new requirements that applicants must have a minimum monthly income of RM40,000 compared to RM10,000. He discusses the implications and how he is engaging with the new government on this matter. Image credi...

US Vice President Kamala Harris is the latest Biden administration official to visit Southeast Asia this week, signalling the US’ renewed focus on the Asia-Pacific. She signed a raft of agreements to strengthen collaboration with Singapore, and promised one million Covid-19 vaccine doses to Vietnam. How much weight does US engagement carry in a region shadowed by Beijing? We discuss the geop...

Opposition leaders have met Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on ways to work together, and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has indicated that Pakatan would not complicate the upcoming vote of confidence for Ismail as long as people’s interests are prioritized. Wong Chen, Member of Parliament for Subang helps us understand if a bipartisan approach is realistic and fruitful, and whether...

Opposition leaders have met Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on ways to work together, and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has indicated that Pakatan would not complicate the upcoming vote of confidence for Ismail as long as people’s interests are prioritized. Wong Chen, Member of Parliament for Subang helps us understand if a bipartisan approach is realistic and fruitful, and whether...

Khor Yu Leng, Political Economist at Segi Enam Advisors speculates how the new cabinet would look like and its size under Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri as Prime Minister. Would it be sizeable to appease all parties? And who might become Deputy Prime Minister(s)? Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Khor Yu Leng, Political Economist at Segi Enam Advisors speculates how the new cabinet would look like and its size under Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri as Prime Minister. Would it be sizeable to appease all parties? And who might become Deputy Prime Minister(s)? Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Savage regional competition and policy clarity elsewhere are just two of the many reasons why Malaysia's EV charge is losing steam at a crucial stage of the race for high-value investment. Eddy Do, Analyst at RHB Research weighs in. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, the country's economy has been in freefall - banks and money exchanges have remained shut, prices for basic commodities have surged while economic activity has ground to a halt. What kind of economic landscape could take shape under the Taliban? We discuss the scenarios and whether the international community has any leverage with ANU researcher D...

Critical support for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as Prime Minister comes from Parti Warisan Sabah. Now that Anwar has once again failed to secure enough numbers, how does Warisan view their working relationship with Pakatan Harapan, and what might happen during the vote of confidence for Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri? Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, Warisan founder weighs in. Image credit: Dolly MJ / Shutterstock...

Despite prolonged lockdowns in several cities, Covid-19 cases continue to rise, raising questions about the sustainability of Australia's "zero-Covid strategy". Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has signaled a shift to an endemic strategy once vaccinations reach the 80% threshold. However, the plan is hampered by a slow vaccination roll-out and lack of consensus with state governments on Co...

The government has ended walk-in vaccinations for foreigners at the Bukit Jalil Stadium, citing crowd-control reasons. This however will make it impossible for undocumented workers to be vaccinated as they are ineligible to register themselves for an appointment in MySejathera. New Su Shern, founder of Project Liber8 discusses possible solutions. Image Credit: YuriAbas / Shutterstock.com See omnys...

While restaurants can now open for dine-in for fully vaccinated individuals, many restaurants have opted to remain close. Jennifer Ong, founder and CEO of HAPA Group discusses the reasons and initiatives to further protect workers and patrons. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Raising the govt debt ceiling beyond 60% of GDP to help economic recovery is a certainty, especially as elections loom, says Firdaos Rosli, Chief Economist at the Malaysian Rating Corporation Bhd or MARC. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The fragility of Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob's new government likely means a slew of generous cabinet appointments for the MPs who supported his push to the premiership, according to Ben Suffian, Programme Director at Merdeka Centre. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many blame Pakatan Harapan for the return of UMNO in the top seat. How should Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and PH re-engage with East Malaysian parties? Should Anwar start to make way for new leaders? Dr. James Chin, Professor of Asian Studies, University of Tasmania discusses. Image credit: AMRUL AZUAR MOKHTAR / Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Several countries plan to administer booster shots to increase vaccination while the World Health Organisation is calling for a moratorium. Senior Consultant and Professor in Infectious Diseases at National University Hospital Singapore, Dr Dale Fisher discusses how policymakers could evaluate their needs. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.